Beak Brewery + Taproom in Lewes

It's a taproom in a working brewery. You expect a certain compromise on stuff like space, layout, service etc but all of this seems done particularly badly here. The bar is too small for the number of tables leading to long queues and the 2 toilets are next to the bar so the queues get mixed up. It was busy the Saturday night I was there and there was 2 staff as far as I could see which meant long waits and messy tables. In a place that already feels a bit spontaneous, it just felt disorganised and tatty. The music was also both non-stop and loud. It is saved by the beer. Beak brew terrific beer and everything I had was as expected - hazy, rich and very tasty. Were I to be critical I'd mark it down for running out of the cask option before I even got there (it's your own brewery fellas? How could that happen??) and having 2 Stouts that were 10%+ rather than having 1 a bit lighter maybe? They also didn't have any glasswear and offered plastic. I hate plastic glasses at the best of times and bought a glass instead. The food truck on the day was great but they'd also run out of 2 of their 3 offerings by 7.30? I think Beak might be suffering from being too popular? It was busy. The crowd seemed younger than me on average and I'm sure loved the banging house music. They're probably used to queueing for everything too. For this slightly older bloke who is a massive craft beer fan, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I traveled to Lewes (a very pretty place by the look of it) specifically to go to Beak but, if you asked me if I'd do it again, the answer would be no. Sadly.

Popped in over Easter to have a look and found it very busy (probably due to its success). Staff were still very helpful with service and beer recommendations. Only two toilets so make sure you are in the right queue - toilets or bar. The food van was a burger van but very tasty burgers - little wait so probably wise to order as you arrive and then enjoy your beer in the meantime.

Part of a mini tour of Sussex breweries recently, had such a lovely time. The food van was delicous, as were the beers

When we go to new places we like to visit any local breweries and sample their beers. The brewery is quite a walk from Lewes centre but we were greeted with friendly smiles. The beer was ok, there was a pizza van outside for those needing food

A poor experience. The beer was good - though very expensive & the staff were lovely... But... We wanted to eat but at 8.00pm on a Saturday night, 2 of the 3 main dishes offered were sold out. The place was not busy... I'm not surprised. I had a £25 gift voucher but couldn't use it towards our drinks bill as I was told it was only for online orders. If you want a pop up taproom & Street food experience, I recommend The Abyss... Much, much better. I shall not be going back to Beak.

Brilliant range of beer, fun surroundings, friendly staff. We’ll worth the short walk out of Lewes for. Will definitely be back.

What a wonderful place - amazing beer, amazing food, amazing service, right in the centre of Lewes. Can’t wait to return another time.

Really good beer, lively venue, smiling people everywhere. Realy enjoyed the whole experience. We also had some food and the idea that the food changes every week really appeals to me. They have done a great job.

When The Patch cafe/ bar opened it was a welcome shot in the arm for the Lewes drinking scene. Now that the Beak Taproom is open, both arms are covered. Beak may be a 10 minute walk out of town, but it is worth every second and a whole lot more. Their own beers are outstanding, the super-impressive guest list bringing the grand total to 15 lines. Food is available every session, courtesy of a carefully selected, local, independent vendor, picked from an ever-changing list. The service is warm and friendly and once you’re here you do not want to leave. Two pieces of advice: - book in advance, it is uber popular; - do NOT be put off by Beak being on an industrial estate. The location is not only de rigueur don’t you know, it’s also a great place from which to watch the birds on Lewes’ chalk cliff!

Beak have got it just right...Relaxed, fun, amazing service and beer, not to mention great food collabs and a bit of live music, making the whole experience well worth a fuzzy head the morning after!

Lovely staff, great beer, and delicious food provided by a different pop up food stall every week. Only a short walk from the town center, it has a nice backdrop of the chalk cliff. You can also buy canned beer from the taproom or online.

So to get here you have to walk a fair way from the center of Lewes, cross the busy A26, and walk through the not particularly scenic Cliffe industrial estate. All being said, it's a bit of a faff to get to. BUT...personally I love the concept of a brewery tap, and in many ways i'd rather be sat in a barren industrial estate than a busy city centre. Makes for a fun adventure! Making the effort is worth it, as when you get there Beak have some really special beer on offer, at completely reasonable prices. Currently quite focused on pale ale, but variations in strengths and sub-styles keep things interesting. I'm sure as they continue brewing we'll see them diverge and expand their portfolio.

I have been to the Taproom now a couple of weeks and think it's a great spot. Lovely beers from both the brewery and some guests. Changing food offering each week. Lovely and attentive staff. Will certainly become a regular part of the weekend.